College Football Predictions – Virginia Cavaliers 2020 College Football Preview
August 17, 2020
2019 Recap
Record – 9-5
ATS – 7-6-1
The Cavaliers had a fine season booking a pair of four-game winning streaks, taking down their first Coastal Division title, and holding their own in the Orange Bowl vs a very talented Florida Gators squad (L 36-28). They also finally exercised the Virginia Tech DEMONS by defeating their rival for the first time since 2003 (!).
HC Bronco Mendenhall has done a fine job with this program. Can they keep the momentum going in 2020?
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
ACC – #9
<Note: In 2020, the top two teams in the ACC advance to the conference title game regardless of division. That includes Notre Dame.>
Virginia Cavaliers 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
It’s going to be strange watching the Cavaliers take the field without their star QB Bryce Perkins who threw for over 3,500 yards and 22 TDs whilst leading the team in rushing (769, 11 TD). He was a special player. The battle for the starting QB gig will be between last year’s back-up Brennan Armstrong and Keytaon Thompson (grad transfer, Miss St). Virginia was #2 in the ACC in 3rd down conversions last year (45%) with Perkins at the helm and that rate will almost certainly decline without his amazing ability to keep plays and drives alive with his legs. #1 RB Wayne Taulapapa is back for duty (473, 12 TD, 4.1) but it’s unclear if they have much explosiveness in the RB group. The Cavs had three (!) receivers bag over 70 catches LY but return just one of those men in 2020 (Terrell Jana). The offensive line might take a big step forward as five starters return and there is plenty of experience to draw upon. Center Olusegun Oluwatimi is one of the best at his position in the ACC.
Virginia ranked #8 in the ACC in total offense last year and that feels like the high-water mark for 2020.
DEFENSE
The Cavaliers ranked #5 in the ACC in total defense a season ago and should be pretty solid this year as well. They return eight starters to the mix, 12 of the top 14 tacklers, and have a fine defensive-minded head coach. Also note that they tallied 46 (!) sacks LY and return a good chunk of that production. The linebacker corps looks loaded and three of the projected starters (Snowden, Zandier, Taylor) were #2,#3 and #4 in tackles a season ago. The secondary will miss star CB Bryce Hall (New York Jets) but return a number of starters including #1 tackler safety Joey Blount. The defensive line projects to be the weakest unit on the team but the LBs should be able to cover for a lot of deficiencies.
This looks like a typical sound Virginia defense, but not an elite group.
SPECIAL TEAMS
There is continuity in the kicking game and PK Brian Delaney nailed 20/24 FG attempts in 2019. One yuuuuuge loss that may fly under the radar is the departure of KR Joe Reed who returned two kickoffs for TDs LY (Virginia #2 FBS in KO returns).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – We’re still awaiting the announcement of a non-conference opponent to fill out the plandemic schedule. ACC play gets HOT AND HEAVY right off the top as the play on the road vs Virginia Tech and Clemson. Four of their final five games are at home.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Virginia Tech (September 19th)
Tough ask for a new QB to make his first conference start in Blacksburg. Hokies have had the Cavs number for a while (until last year) and REVENGE IS A DISH BEST SERVED COLD, yo. Won’t be on the road dog in this one.
Season Win Total
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.
MEGALOCKS says:
Waiting for Vegas/Offshore number.
It seems to us that a number in the vicinity of Over 5 -120, Under 5 +100 might be the opener.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Virginia has increased their win total in each of the past three seasons (2,6,8,9).
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
HC Bronco Mendenhall has done a fine job getting this program to the point where they can contend for the division on a regular basis. It’s hard to see these guys competing with the ACC BIG BOYS in the revised scheduling format without the departed Bryce Perkins. At least the defense will be solid. This has the look of a .500 team in 2020.
Want more Virginia Cavaliers football ?
WEBSITE
https://virginiasports.com/sports/football
FORUM
http://chat.virginia.sportswar.com/message_board/football/
https://247sports.com/college/virginia/Board/Virginia-Cavaliers-Message-Board-Forum-16
https://virginia.forums.rivals.com/forums/hoos-next.6/
NEWS
http://www.streakingthelawn.com/
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/258/virginia-cavaliers
TWITTER
Hashtags – #THEStandard, #GoHoos
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